Aleksander Ceferin: '12-team tournament will never happen'

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin emphasized the "inclusiveness" of European football and said, "UEFA will never organize a tournament for only 12 clubs."

Speaking at the general assembly of the European Football Club Association (ECA) in Rome, which represents around 800 teams across the continent, Ceferin said, referring to the Super League project, "Europe sets the standards in world football and that is precisely why we see external attempts to reshape the game."

Emphasizing inclusiveness in European football, Ceferin said, "Change is part of the story of football. We know this very well. But lasting value only comes from unity, balance and reforms that empower everyone, not just a few."

Speaking about the Super League project that ended in failure, Ceferin said, "UEFA will never organize a tournament for only 12 clubs.

A group of 12 of Europe's most established clubs had announced plans to establish a new Super League in 2021 to replace UEFA and the Champions League, Europe's elite club competition.

Ceferin said, "Football is not just about balance sheets. It is not just entertainment. It is the life of our societies. It is the streets, the clubs and the fans that shape it. If we take it too far away from these roots, we risk destroying it. Football is our foundation."

Ceferin's comments came two days after UEFA said it would not reluctantly oppose tradition-breaking plans for Barcelona to play a league game in Miami and Milan to play in Australia, despite fierce opposition from fan groups across the continent.

The Villarreal-Barcelona game in LaLiga will be played in Miami, USA, while the Milan-Como clash in Serie A will be played in Perth, Australia.